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Tag: Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola

  • Pray for Nigeria’s economic recovery -Aregbesola to intending pilgrims

    Pray for Nigeria’s economic recovery -Aregbesola to intending pilgrims

    The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Wednesday admonished the intending pilgrims to this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia to pray for the economic recovery of Nigeria and the state of Osun during the pilgrimage to the holy land.

    The Governor gave the admonition while speaking with the 724 intending pilgrims from the state at the farewell programme organised for them at the Government Secretariat, Osogbo.‎
    ‎
    Aregbesola stated that the economic hardship the country is facing requires the prayers of all and sundry, stressing that the situation at hand in the country will be a thing of the past through the intervention of God and sincerity of Nigerians.

    According to the Governor, “Nigeria’s economic situation needs the prayers of all and sundry for us to survive this situation we are in today.

    “I believe as you are going to the holy land, God will answer your prayers. So, I appeal to you to please remember Nigeria and the state of Osun in your prayers while you are in Saudi Arabia.

    “With God all things are possible, we need to redirect our steps as a country and turn to God and be sincere as well. Nigeria can be great again”

    Speaking on the Hajj operations, Ogbeni Aregbesola described the journey to the holy land as one of the strong pillars of Islam which every muslim should endevour to embark on, while urging them not to toil with any minute they will be spending at the holy land.

    He saluted the effort of the 724 intending pilgrims for deciding to embark on the pilgrimage for this year despite the harsh economic situation facing the country.
    He said it goes a long way to show their commitment in seeking spiruatual rebirth which the the governor noted as one of the essence of embarking on the spiritual journey.

    Aregbesola said, “I congratulate you for being able to embark on this journey of spiritual rebirth despite the harsh economic situation the country is facing.

    “I want you to maximize every minute of your spiritual journey to the holy land and pray for yourselves and the growth of Nigeria.

    “The holy land of Mecca is a place where whatever is asked from God shall be granted. I implore you to make use of every minute of the period you will be spending there to seek the face of God.

    “I urge you to always maintain the Omoluabi virtue which the state of Osun is known for while you are at the holy land.” The governor stated.

    In a goodwill message, the Southwest Commissioner of the National Hajj Commission, Imam Fua’ad Adeyemi noted that the organisation of Hajj programmes in Osun is always commendable.

    He explained that over the years Osun pilgrims have always stood out with good virtues while at the holy land, stressing that the pilgrims from Osun are always the cynosure of all eyes while at the holy land owing to their good characters, while charging them to continue in the same manner. Imam Adeyemi explained.

    “Am always amazed at the organizational qualities of Osun pilgrims every year because they are always descent in all their approach.

    “Osun pilgrims have always come out top among pilgrims from Nigeria every year and I commend the governor for this because it couldn’t have been possible if not for the effort of the governor”

    Earlier in a welcome address, the Amir Hajj for Osun, Mallam Dikhrulah Hassan commended the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for the mature and organized manner which the Hajj programmes have taken in Osun.

    He noted that the governor has ordered that the pilgrims who will be embarking on the 6th Hajj operations under his administration be given grade A treatment while at the holy land, while adding that the pilgrims will be given an electronic wrist band for easy identification and recognition.

    The Amir Hajj who stated that the pilgrims from Osun are among the two states that will be leaving with the first batch for this year, urged them to always portray the Omoluabi virtues while at the holy land.

    He said “this year’s Hajj is the sixth organised by the current administration of Ogbeni Aregbesola and you will agree with me that the coming on baord of the administration has changed the performance of Hajj for good in the state of Osun.

    “As part of preparation, pilgrims education and enlightenment were organised for the intending pilgrims for purpose of enlightening and educating them on the nitty-gritty of Hajj exercise.

    “I also need to stress that throughout the country, the state of Osun and Zamfara are the only two states that would first be airlifted and first to arrive back.

    “Governor of he state need to be commended because we have benefited immensely interms of encouragement and taking directive from towards a successful Hajj operations” the Amir Hajj stated.

  • APC urges Osun youths to utilise state initiative

    APC urges Osun youths to utilise state initiative

    Unemployed youths in the state of Osun have been called upon to take advantage of the state government initiative to help those without jobs find one.
    The call was made on Tuesday by the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osogbo through a statement issued from the party’s Directorate of Publicity, Research and Strategy, and signed by its director, Barr. Kunle Oyatomi.
    According to the party, the Ogbeni Aregbesola – led APC government is determined to assist in whatever way possible to reduce unemployment of youths in the state, even in this diffficult economic circumstance that Nigeria finds itself.
    The party urged all unemployed youths in each local government to visit, register and submit their credentials in the newly created ‘Osun Job Centres’, that are being opened all over the state.
    These centres, the party disclosed, will help those with the relevant qualifications to find jobs both within and outside the state.
    ‘ This service will be provided free of charge ‘, the party added.
    Briefing newsmen on the development, Oyatomi emphasised that the ‘job centre initiative’ marks the second phase of the government’s ‘gainful employment policy’ that started in 2011 with the O’yes scheme and other related policies.
    These policies have succeeded in providing employment to over 40, 000 young men and women, as well as empowered scores of others to start up small business enterprises.
    ‘But with this second phase initiative’, the party claimed, ‘Gov. Rauf Aregbesola is demonstrating commitment to his developmental programme, notwithstanding that the current economic downturn continues to bite’.
    The party boasted that ‘the beauty of this new phase is that the state government will be doing everything it could to locate and secure jobs for the unemployed youths without them having to wander about seeking jobs.
    ‘ Moreover the search will not be limited to Osun, as the job centres will scan the whole country for suitable employment for those who are registered with the Centre’,  the party’s spokesman emphasised.
    However, the party urged all those seeking employment to make the most of the service rendered by the centre, especially the advantage it provides for them to look for jobs from their local government areas instead of roaming towns and commercial cities.

  • Poor Aregbesola!

    Poor Aregbesola!

    Poor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola! It seems the Osun State Governor can never put a foot right in the eyes of the powerful Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) whose control of the Nigerian media is hard, if not impossible, to match. His crime, as he himself aptly put it the other day in response to the gratuitous attacks he has been subjected to of recent, seems to be that he insists on being a good Muslim.

    Not too long ago he was called all manner of names for daring to declare the first day in the Islamic calendar a public holiday in his state whose Muslim population is probably the majority. For his critics it didn’t matter that the Solar calendar from which Christmas and New Year celebrations derived is not universal. It also did not seem to matter that the declaration deprived non-Muslims of nothing.

    Gratuitous as those attacks were, however, they were still understandable; as governor, the buck for any administrative order stopped on his table.

    The same cannot be said of the most recent attacks he has been subjected to over the ruling on June 3 by an Osun State High Court in Osogbo in favour allowing female Muslim students to wear Hijab in all public primary and secondary schools in the state.

    Justice Jide Falola’s ruling on Hijab was not the first. The first was nearly two years ago in October 2014 when Justice Modupe Onyeabor dismissed a similar suit filed in May 2013 against the Lagos State Government by two 12-year old girls under the aegis of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit, over the government’s ban on Hijab.

    In her judgment, Justice Onyeabor said the state’s prohibition of the wearing of Hijab over school uniforms within and outside the premises of public schools was not discriminatory. According to her, the ban did not violate sections 38 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution as claimed by the plaintiffs. They had contended that the ban violated the two sections which gave them the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

    Instead, the judge said, the right they sought violated Section 10 of the Constitution which said “The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion.”

    In deference to the ruling by the judge the plaintiffs decided to respect the state’s dress code but appeal her judgment. The case has since pended before the Court of Appeal and is likely to go all the way to the Supreme Court.

    The contrast between the restrained reaction of the Muslim leadership in Lagos to its loss and the petulance of the Christian leadership at both the state and national level in the Osun case could hardly be sharper. And the extent to which the newspapers have indulged the Christian leadership in their petulance spoke volumes about their fairness, balance and objectivity.

    Since the June 3 ruling Aregbesola has been accused of trying to start a “war” – in the words of Vanguard of June 15 – over religious dressing in his state. Several newspapers have carried pictures of some students in their choir and Church attires to their schools when they reopened on June 14 following the “June 12” public holidays.

    The prophesy of this fabricated “war” may yet be fulfilled if it all depended on the CAN leadership – and the newspapers.

    As the chairman of the state’s chapter of CAN, Elisha Ogundiya, said in a statement on the court ruling, “Christian students in all public schools founded by Christians with the toil and sweat of our forefathers in the faith (will) have no choice but to start wearing garments and vestments as part of their school uniform for the propagation of our faith, given that Justice Saka Oyedije Falola declared the right of female Muslim students to do same, as what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander as well.”

    Reverend Musa Asake, CAN’s General Secretary, was even more unequivocal in blaming the governor for creating what he called a “religious crisis” between Muslims and Christians in the state.

    “Although they are talking about court judgment,” Asake said, “what I can say is that Aregbesola is responsible for whatever is happening in Osun State. We at the national level are in total support of the decision by the Osun State chapter of CAN that Christian pupils should attend classes in choir gowns, Girls Guide and Boys Scout apparels, including white garments, depending on whatever attire appeals to any Christian parent.”

    As Christian leaders, the partisan statements of Ogundiya and Asake are understandable, albeit untenable. Not so, the editorial of the Nigerian Pilot of June 17, which was both untenable and impossible to understand.  The governor, the newspaper said, “should not in his usual demeanour sound as one who shares in ignorance and pretense over a matter that is volatile like the looming religious crisis…It is wrong timing for the world to see him as a religious fundamentalist nursing a hidden agenda TO ISLAMIZE OSUN STATE.” (Emphasis mine).

    Any newspaper worth the name should know there is separation of powers between the Judiciary and the Executive arms of government. It should also know that recognising a manifestation of any religion is not the same as adopting it as state religion.

    This is what makes it truly baffling that the Osun State governor should be held, not just vicariously, but directly responsible for the ruling of a court. But then, as the man himself said, it seems his crime is that he insists on being a good Muslim.

    “Is it,” to use his own words, “a crime that I am a Muslim, is it because I struggle to be a good Muslim that everything I do is being misunderstood? I think I don’t deserve all these lies against me.”

    The man has challenged any one with evidence that he ordered the wearing of Hijab to bring it. Not a single one of those calling him names has done so. And it’s unlikely that they ever will.

    Aregbesola has done all he can to be a good Muslim, which means being fair to all religious persuasions in the state. Contrary to what his critics say, our Constitution never said Nigeria is a secular state. My Advance English Dictionary defines secular as “of or relating to the doctrine that rejects religion and religious considerations.” The very opening words of our Constitution say we are “…a Sovereign Nation under God.” This is clearly no rejection of religion.

    Even Section 10 of the Constitution that the Lagos State High Court Judge cited as her basis of banning Hijab in the state did not reject religion. It only says none should be adopted by the State.

    The section may look like a contradiction of Section 38 which gives us the freedom of religion and to manifest it. But it seems contradictory only if we assume recognising any manifestation of a religion amounts to adopting it. This assumption is clearly a fallacy. Otherwise it would mean, for example, the fact that we celebrate Christmas means the country has adopted Christianity as the State religion.

    Just like Christmas is a manifestation of Christianity so is Hijab a manifestation of Islam, albeit even more so, because an adult woman is considered naked without it. It is indeed an irony that the Christian leadership should object to a dress considered ideal for Christian women who dedicate themselves to serving God, as reverend sisters do.

    Section 38 of our Constitution says we are all entitled to our faiths and to the freedom to “manifest and propagate it…in worship, teaching, practice and observance.”

    I find it impossible to understand how my daughters or my wife wearing Hijab in public violates the right of a non-Muslim to manifest his or her own faith. I find it even more impossible to understand how doing so amounts to the country adopting Islam as State Religion.

    In any case if anyone felt threatened by female Muslim students wearing Hijab I would have thought the proper thing to do was to go to court and seek redress rather than defy a lawful order issued by a lawful authority.

    Aregbesola was not the one who said female students can wear Hijab to school as part of their uniform. It was the courts that did. Those who disagree should go there and test their presumptions of the rights of their children to dress to public schools as they deem fit instead of trying to make a straw man out of Aregbesola, the easier to destroy him.

     

  • Aregbesola, Agric minister, flag-off 2016 cashew plantation season

    Aregbesola, Agric minister, flag-off 2016 cashew plantation season

    • Say Nigeria Needs Sustainable Agricultural Revolution to Survive

    The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has called on all able bodied Nigerians to take to farming on full or part time basis as an alternative to the over-dependence on oil for the quick recovery of the ailing economy of the country.‎

    ‎The Governor stated this while‎ addressing people at the 2016 flag-off of cashew planting season and roll out of cashew expansion programme of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and rural development at Ogudu Village, Ife-East Local Government Area of the state.

    This was even as the Minister for Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh said the ministry will embark on plantation of 2 million cashew every year for 4 years and that the stage is set to ensure massive plantation of cocoa, plantain and banana across the nation.‎

    ‎Aregbesola stressed that the only way for Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to national economic development was for able men and women to go back to farms.

    He called on other leaders in all tiers of government in Nigeria to stop relying on the failed oil sector and seek for means to sustain their economy.

    The Governor noted that there could be no better time than now for all hands to be on deck to ensure that the economy of the country from oil to Agriculture.‎

    ‎According to him, “I am particularly happy and enthralled at the efforts being made to promote the cultivation of cashew, noted for not just being a food crop but a cash crop as well.

    “This is well timed at this season when it has become imperative to diversify our economy from its oil orientation to others more sustainable areas like agriculture.”

    ‎He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for living up to the expectations of Nigerians through his achievements in the last few months, saying the uniqueness of his good governance had been felt in all aspects of the economy especially in agriculture.

    Governor who described cashew as a moneymaking and health-promoting crop, said the state is ready to partner with any investor to boost the agricultural sector.

    He said the state is blessed with fertile hectares of land, adding that his government would not hesitate to tap the numerous potentials in agriculture in sustaining its economy.‎‎

    The Governor commended Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi for complementing his efforts to revamp agriculture in the state.

    He therefore implored other traditional rulers to emulate the good gestures of Oba Ogunwusi in rendering social services to the society.

    “The only way for us to contribute meaningfully to national economic development was for our able men and women to go back to farm.

    “Quick recovery of our economy remains the duty of all and as a matter of fact, nothing is coming from oil anymore. And for this reason, we must all embrace agriculture to deliver our country from this financial mess.

    “We must henceforth stop relying on the failed oil sector and seek for ways to sustain the economy through the promotion of the non-oil sectors.

    “It is a glaring fact that the current economic challenges befell the country was a product of 16 years misrule and bad governance of past administrations in the country.

    “Our state is blessed with fertile hectares of land good for farming, hence, triggers our ambition to tap the numerous potentials in agriculture to enhance the general well being of the citizens”, Aregbesola stated.

    Earlier, Minister of Agriculture, Chief Innocent Audu Ogbeh who described the flag-off ceremony as the beginning of the agricultural revolution in the country, said stage has already been set to ensure massive plantation of cocoa, plantain and banana across the nation.

    Chief Ogbeh disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture was ready to embark on a full plantation of 2million cashew every year for the next four years.

    The minister stressed that the purpose of quick intervention in agriculture by the Federal Government was to ensure that the nation regain her lost glory as the food basket of Africa, saying all hands must be on deck to revitalize the sector for the betterment of all.

    He lamented over the sliding state of the nation’s economy, assuring that the current government was fully ready to maximize the embedded potentials in the non-oil sectors.

    Chief Ogbeh attributed the financial crisis ravaging the country, especially the states of the federation to what he referred to as over-reliance on the mono-economic policy of the country, reiterating that the current government led by President Muhammadu Buhari would not rest on his oars to reposition the nation’s economy.

    He said part of the objectives of the present government in agriculture was to ensure that every Nigerian has access to quality agricultural production and other farm produce without hiccup irrespective of distance or region.

    Chief Ogbeh maintained that since agriculture is the largest employer of labour, his ministry would deploy necessary mechanism that would facilitate mass employment for Nigerian youths so as to reduce the scourge of unemployment in the country.

    According to him “This historic occasion marks another milestone in our concerted efforts at resuscitating, repositioning and restructuring agricultural sector in the country.

    “It also signifies the beginning of agricultural revolution in the country as we are seriously bent to ensure massive plantation of cashew, cocoa, plantain, banana and other agricultural farm produce across the nation.

    “Our prompt intervention in agriculture was premised on need to swiftly rescue the nation from being collapsed due to her over-dependent on crude oil.

    “Our government had identified agriculture as a key economic sector capable of turning around the general well being of Nigerians.

    “We are fully ready to embark on full plantation of 2million cashew every year for the next four years in order to maximize the embedded potentials in the non-oil sectors.

    “It is regrettable that we found ourselves in this economic mess due to misapplication of priority and mismanagement of our commonwealth, but nevertheless, no stone would be left unturned by the current government to ensure that the country regain her lost glory in all sectors.

    “Though the over-reliance on the mono-economic system is also a contributory factor to this financial impasse, but I can assure every citizen that the present government of President Muhammadu Buhari would not rest on his oars at repositioning the nation’s economy by ensuring adequate production of foods for local consumption as well as for export.

    “Our ministry had already identified agriculture as the largest employer of labour, hence signaled us to deploy necessary mechanism to boost agriculture by engaging youths in the process so as to reduce the scourge of unemployment in the country”, he added.

    Chief Ogbeh who described Governor Aregbesola as a visionary leader per excellence, said his landmark achievements since assumption of office remained memorable legacy in the political annals of the state.

    He disclaimed the allegation that the financial challenges facing some states was the cause of their governors, saying the cash crunch tormenting the states was a product of national economic imbroglio.

    Chief Ogbeh however, called on all and sundry especially the youths to demonstrate interest in agriculture as part of their contributory efforts to national economic development and nation building.

    In his remarks, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi disclosed that 2,000 hectares of land had been acquired and cultivated for cashew plantation, adding that as soon as the people are showing interest in farming, more land would be released for that purpose.

    Oba Ogunwusi expressed delight on the commencement of this year 2016 Flag-off of Cashew Planting season in Ife, saying with that, Ife had proven its stand as the ancestral home of yoruba nation.

    The royal father further noted that the flag-off ceremony in the state was a clear testimony to undaunting efforts of the present administration in the state towards the resuscitation of agriculture sector.

    Oba Ogunwusi who decried on the precipitous slide in the oil sector, said the time has come for government at all levels to shift attention to agriculture in stimulating and reviving the nation’s economy.

    The revered monarch stressed that the massive plantation of cashew in the state was in no doubt the beginning of a new dawn in the agricultural revolution in the country, adding that with such giant stride being recorded, the state has set a formidable goal to rescue the nation.

    Oba Ogunwusi who described agriculture as the only eternal and everlasting bailout to Nigeria’s economy, said the time has come for every Nigerian especially the youths to go back to farms.

    He said, “I am very elated that the commencement of this year 2016 Flag-off of Cashew Planting season starts in Ife and with this significant move, we have proven our stand as the ancestral home of Yoruba nation.

    “Unequivocally, this flag-off ceremony in the state was a clear testimony vindicating our Governor on his untiring efforts towards the resuscitation of agriculture sector.

    “It is a well-known fact that our economy had been seriously challenged due to incessant drop in prices of crude oil at the international market, meanwhile, the time has come for government at all levels to shift attention to agriculture in stimulating and reviving the nation’s economy.

    “We must all see agriculture as the only realistic alternative to crude oil at this critical period as government at various levels are working assiduously to enhance economic prosperity.

    “We are starting with 2,000 hectares of land for the cultivation of cashew and as soon as our people begin to show interest, more land would be released for cultivation.

  • Aregbesola raises concern over persistent rainfall

    Aregbesola raises concern over persistent rainfall

    The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has associated incessant stormy rainfall being experienced in the country to the much talked about negative impacts of man on the environment.

    The Governor stated this during a courtesy visit and the opening ceremony of the Osun Architects’ Sustainable Information Synthesis Forum in Osogbo.

    He attributed much of the destruction of the global ecosystem to anti-nature activities of human beings, adding that it is these human activities that have led the worse state the global climate has receded into, manifesting in the harsh weather and incessant natural disaster that the world is witnessing today.

    According to the Governor, even though nature is calm, it does not respect human beings and as such could be devastating in form of protest against unconscionable human activities.

    Aregbesola, who warned of danger ahead, appealed to all stakeholders in the fight against climate change to sensitise people on the need to engage in reasonable activities.

    Besides, he also canversed for a serious commitment to the greening of the environment by planting multiple trees where one is felled.

    “Let me call our attention to the danger – or is it tragedy – the whole world faces today with our climate.

    “Have we paused to ask ourselves why we have stormy rainfall constantly nowadays. It is either we experience this hail storm before or during rainfall and we go about as if this is a normal occurrence.

    “No! We are today at the mercy of the nature and it is human activity that has led to this worse climatic conditions we now experience,” Aregbesola said.

    Aregbesola also expressed his worries in the inability of the professional body to come up with a suitable material for building plan 56 years after the exit of colonialism.

    Aregbesola said what also gave him anxiety was the impact of professional in the lives of the people and whether the professional cared about the welfare of the people when the plan, design and build houses.

    He also lamented that over two decades after the continent’s contact with the European and 56 years after independence, Nigerian architects have yet to come up with a policy on which material is best and suitable for building plan.

    He averred that the recommendation of NIA on a building roof suitable and durable for Nigeria is enough catalyst to revamp the nation’s economy.

    He stressed that the situation has gone so awry that not only the roofs, but also the buildings in both urban and rural areas have so much degenerated to the level that significant numbers of them are no longer fit for human habitation.

    “Up until this moment, it is not about the roofing materials alone which are unsuitable but also our buildings both in rural and urban areas have become a serious challenge.

    “Our houses in urban settlement even depresses me more: most of them have passed their age of usefulness.

    “If the country is committed to reviewing our human habitation through government-inspired efforts and you professionals recommend a new and durable building roofing, this alone is enough and capable of revamping our economy,” Aregbesola said.

    He called on Architects to be helpful in preventing the building anarchy of modern times, adding that they should also see to era of incidents of encroachment on roads and illegal structures that is becoming rampant in our society.

    Aregbesola held that encroachment and illegal structures will have been avoided if architects have helped their clients do due diligence by obtaining proper documentation for their property before building.

    According to him, “in Osun, w‎e have not only reduced the cost, we have also simplified the process of obtaining land documents and building approvals in this state.

    “This is in our quest to enhance urban aesthetics, prevent future separation of buildings from roads and bring about the security that possession of documents brings. It is my hope that our architects will support this programme adequately and increase the awareness on this with their clients.”

    The President of Nigerian Institute of Architecture (NIA), Arch. Tony Oliver-Braid, has described Osun as a very unique state in the whole of the country.

    Oliver-Braid, who also described Governor Rauf Aregbesola as an extraordinary governor, disclosed that Osun is the only state in Nigeria that has at least one architect in a local government and over 50 architects engaged by the state’s Local Government Service commission.

    The NIA President gave the statistics during a courtesy visit to the Governor and the opening ceremony of its two-day conference tagged Osun Architects’ Sustainable Information Synthesis, OASIS Forum 2016 and the 20th Anniversary of NIS by the by NIA, Osun.

    The theme of conference is: “Join the Race to Make this World a Better Place” taking place at the Multipurpose Hall, Local Government Service Commission, State Secretarial, Abere.

    Oliver-Braid, who was represented by the institute’s third Vice President, arch. Enyi Ben Ehbo, said the governor’s landmark programmes and achievement are visible for all to see.

    He said “We commend you for the tremendous work you are doing despite the lean resources.

    “As a seasoned Nigerian, we can see the work you are doing. With the number of architects we have in your state, Osun should see itself as the home of architecture in Nigeria.”

    He said the theme of the conference was designed to herald the United Nations Environment Day, which comes up every June 5th of the year and the World Habitat Day, celebrated First Monday of October every years.

    He called on governments and all stakeholders in the preservation of planet earth to take affirmative action to save the world, adding that there should be zero tolerance for killing of animals and take time to safeguard some of them, who are now endangered species.

    He assured the governor that the impact of architects would be noted in every local government of the state very soon.

  • Easter: Reminder to Nigerians for rebirth – Aregbesola

    The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has said that only a total rebirth in national consciousness and values would deliver Nigeria from its many challenges.

    On the occasion of Easter celebration, Aregbesola said renewal, a crucial theme in the celebration of Easter, should make Nigerians rediscover themselves for the purpose of their creation in the first place.

    The Governor, in a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, also called on all, especially Christians ‎to use the period to supplicate to God on behalf of the country so that Nigeria will be able to come out of the present economic challenges.

    Aregbesola, who described Easter as a period of sober reflection, enjoined Nigerians to live in peace and harmony at all times despite the present economic hardship.

    According to him, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among humans were necessary elements in the sustenance of development.

    “It gives me great joy to felicitate with Christians on this Easter celebration. As we rejoice in the glory of God, we must not lose sight of the teachings of the period.

    “Jesus Christ’s life was a demonstration of absolute love. We, as creations of God, must learn to live in love and peace. We must learn to live exemplary life.

    “We should all at this time pray for the sustenance of peace and also pray that the present economic situation must come an immediate end. But we need that renewal as a people and that must come with new values.

    “The lesson of Easter is that we too can live a life of sacrifice for our country especially at this time when Nigeria appears to be at the crossroads in terms of the economic and security challenges besetting her. Beyond the eating and drinking in the course of the celebration, we should go to God in prayer to solicit His intervention,” he noted.

  • Easter holiday: Osun again offers free train ride

    Easter holiday: Osun again offers free train ride

    The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has announced this year’s free train ride for the Easter celebration as part of its continued commitment to the welfare and well-being of the people of the state.

    This is contained in a statement by the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperative, Industry and Empowerment announced that on Wednesday, the free train ride would convey people coming for the Easter festival from Lagos to Osogbo on Friday 25 by 10am.

    A return train will depart Osogbo to Lagos on Monday, March 28 by 11:00am.

    The statement noted that the government did this to ease movements of the people during period of the festivity.

    The Government therefore enjoined indigenes of the state to maximise the advantage the free train ride offers them to visit home and enjoy the celebration.

    The statement said: “This tradition of free train ride as introduced by the Aregbesola government about five years ago is aimed at facilitating the easy movement of the citizenry wherever they are.

    “And this programme takes care of both Islamic and Christian festivities. Since its commencement, we can say confidently that it has been a boost to the economy of the state.

    “It is this ease during festival periods that informed the introduction of the scheme by Governor Aregbesola.

    “Therefore, it is the wish of government that our people from Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States would seize this window of opportunity by Aregbesola’s government to visit home and celebrate with their relatives.”

     

  • Face the reality that PDP is dead, Aregbesola to Fayose

    Face the reality that PDP is dead, Aregbesola to Fayose

    • as Fayose made his first visit to an APC Gov in Nigeria.

    The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Tuesday advised the Governor of  Ekiti, Dr. Ayodele Fayose to face the reality of the death of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a party.‎

    Aregbesola said while he is not asking the governor to abandon the opposition PDP against his wish, he would only advise him to join hands with a political party that will give hope to the people of Nigeria.

    He also charged the Ekiti State governor to direct his energy towards bringing human and physical development to western region and Nigeria as a whole.

    The Governor stated this when his Ekiti counterpart paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Osogbo.

    Governor Fayose, during the visit, had said that he is in Osun not for any political reason and that he is not ready to abandon the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC) but for his belief in the Yoruba race and her development and unity.

    Aregbesola described the visit of Governor Fayose to Osun as demonstration of maturity, saying it takes a very matured human being to know that at the end of every public office, he will be left with humanity.

    He said, “Osoko has said that he is not going to leave his party, but the reality today is that PDP has served its term in Nigeria. When a horse is dead, it is either you abandon it or you bury it.

    “I want my good friend and brother to know that PDP has exhausted it’s stay in Nigeria, it can no longer be revived, let us look at a political party that will give hope to our people. Opposition must be for a purpose, I stand by you on the unity of Yoruba land and that our leaders not put down in the country.

    “The war is over, we are in a season of mobilising our people to agriculture and produce such that we will economically have the strength to give leadership to the Nation and Africa. Our energy must be directed at bringing human and physical development, we have enough in this region to give leadership”. Aregbesola stressed.

     He assured Fayose that he will stand by him in his effort to galvanise the people of South-west for accelerated development.

    The Governor who lamented the present economic situation of the country noted that there is an invasion on the economy of Nigeria to the extent that the country is loosing 75 percent of her income due to oil glut.

    “The country is facing a very serious crises with the rate at which the crude oil price is falling. There is an invasion on the economy to the level that we are loosing 75 percent of our income which is not good.

    “At this point, wise people must have an alternative to oil which part of it is your visit. We must use our culture and affinity to form a bond that can make our people live a normal life, it is a duty that we owe our people, States and Nigeria as a whole”.

    Speaking earlier, Governor Fayose stated that against all speculations that he was coming to Osogbo to ask Aregbesola help him beg President Muhammadu Buhari, he was  in Osun for the unity of Yoruba race.

    He added that the Yoruba race is greater than any political office hence his belief in the development of the race.

    The governor averred that the visit of the Ooni of Ife to the 45th coronation of the Alaafin of Oyo is instructive hence the need for every Yoruba sons and daughters to see to the unity and progress of the race.

    He said, “This is my first official visit to any APC state in Nigeria. I am not in Osogbo to ask Aregbesola to help me beg as being speculated in some quarters. We are all Yoruba, politics is like water, it can flow anywhere.

    “I believe in the Yoruba race, the race comes first before the office of the governor. The race is eternal while that of governor is momentary. We must watch today to be guided by tomorrow. I am here for the unity of Yoruba as it affect the Oodua, the progenitor” Fayose emphasised.

  • Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Aregbesola advocates reward for war veterans

    Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Aregbesola advocates reward for war veterans

    Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Thursday said the Nigerian society must device means to reward and support war veterans that has kept the country together always and not annually.

    The Governor while launching the Emblem to commemorate year 2016 Armed Forces remembrance Day at the banquet hall of the Government House stated that veterans should not be made to regret serving their fatherland.

    ‎He noted that the least that Nigerians and government can do is to keep the memory of these soldiers alive, supporting those that are active and taking adequate care of the families of the departed.

    Aregbesola averred that the emblem being launched is a reminder of their service and sacrifice hence an obligation on Nigerians to support them.

    He enjoined all to encourage the effort by wearing the emblem with pride during the week of remembrance, saying President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians and visitors to wear the emblem throughout this week.

    The Governor said, “they must be well supported, they took up soldering as a divine call, or else they could have taken to other more lucrative and less tasking vocations. They should not be made to regret serving their fatherland in its defence.

    “Our own society must devise means to specially reward and support our veterans. Their plight should not be an annual event, during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration only.

    “In other lands, stores give them special discounts; those returning to school have their tuition fees slashed while veterans are given free passes to gated events. In several instances, they enjoy free medical care and other social services”. Aregbesola stressed.

    He lamented the engagement of veterans for sentry duties, saying it is not enough and in many cases amounts to under utilisation of resources.

    The Governor held that there are diverse ways veterans can be engaged productively and maximally as most of them have acquired advanced skills in many vocations that could be deployed into nation building and development.

    “Those of them with combat experience can be re-programmed and put in a special police units needed to engage armed bandits and other violent criminals in our urban centres. They will be glad to resume their defence duties in civilian capacities.

    “It is also important that we review our philosophy of soldering by having a productive citizen’s army. In a peacetime like this, a lot of our teeming but idle youths can be absorbed into the armed forces.

    “Apart from giving them excellent professional training, they should also be given excellent vocational training and deployed for services where needed.”

    Earlier in his address, the Deputy Commandant-general and Chairman Nigerian Legion Osun, Col. Alimi Samotu‎ commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola for his fatherly assistance towards the plights of the legion since inception of his administration.

    Speaking on the significance and plight of ex-servicemen, he explained that the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Appeal Week is a familiar event set aside by Nigeria to express concern and appreciation for the fallen heroes.

    He said the fallen heroes must be forever remembered because of the supreme sacrifice they made particularly during the Nigerian Civil War.

    “The gallant fighters lost their lives on the battle field without a farewell to their families and other dependants and many who did not die became maimed. They suffered from mental degradation and all other forms of evils of war.

    “While remembering the Fallen Heroes today, we must as a matter of responsibility, remember their dependants, their children, the aged and those Ex-servicemen who had been maimed in the course of defending their fatherland”.

  • Alaafin names Aregbesola ‘Omoluabi of Yorubaland’

    Alaafin names Aregbesola ‘Omoluabi of Yorubaland’

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    • urging the people to pay tax.

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi has bestowed upon the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola the title of 'Omoluabi of Yoruband' just as he urged Osun people to pay their taxes.

    The Monarch who was at the Government House, Osogbo to present the award, stated that the governor of Osun State has always been at the forefront of projecting the 'Omoluabi ethos' which the Yoruba race has always preached.

    He explained that he has always monitored the administrative and leadership style of the governor since inception of his administration, saying Ogbeni Aregbesola has always led along the line of a true 'Omoluabi'.

    "The Yorubas are a tribe that always instill in their children and the youths all the characters of a responsible and well brought up individual, I have studied the leadership style of Aregbesola among all the governors in the country and have discovered that he is the only one whom have through his leadership style projected 'Omoluabi ethos' of the Youruba race.

    "Aregbesola is man that breathes responsibility at all times, we have always been hearing of an Omoluabi for a long time and am so happy that we now have a Governor who is leading by example," the Alaafin, a foremost traditional ruler in Nigeria said.

    As measure of the importance of his honour to Aregbesola, presented to him a photo compendium and signed framed portrait congratulating the governor on his new chieftaincy title of 'Omoluabi of Yorubaland'.

    The Monarch further noted: "It is a good thing to now have a person in the calibre of a governor who is portraying the 'Omoluabi virtues' to the Nigerian youths."

    The royal father also used the opportunity to call on the people of Osun to support the government of the day by paying their taxes regularly, stressing that taxation is the most efficient and sure way to give the people good government.

    Oba Adeyemi who lamented the dwindling nature of the federal allocation pointed out that the only way out of the economic logjam is for the people to carry out their civic responsibilities as individuals.

    He added that if the people support the government of Aregbesola with their taxes, the present administration will find it easier to fulfill its obligations such as prompt payment of salaries and adequate provision of infrastructure, health care facilities and security.

    "All over the world, taxation is the way out, for government to be able to conveniently provide for all the amenities and pay salaries conveniently, the people must endeavour to pay their taxes regularly.

    "I want to urge the people of Osun to assist the present administration with the payment of their taxes, the present administration has done so much in terms of provision of social amenities such as construction of good roads, provision of affordable health care facilities, assistance for the aged. "I also know that the Aregbesola administration has been providing free school uniforms as well as feeding the school pupils, something which no government has ever done, not even the federal government. "If such a government now demands for a tax of just one thousand five hundred naira per individual in a year, I don't think its too much. "We need to realise that it has come to a stage where government can no longer do it alone, Osun allocation has dropped drastically and government may not be able to pay salaries and provide other amenities again except we show our support through the regular payment of our taxes." he stressed.

    Responding, Governor Rauf Aregbesola noted that the reign of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi has been very peaceful and fruitful, while praying that God should make the royal father's resign more peaceful and eventful.

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